DR Congo rebels free president’s envoys held captive since February

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Four remaining peace envoys of Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi who were taken hostage by a rebel group in February have been released, an official said Tuesday.

Former Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga and three others were among eight envoys captured by militiamen from the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) in northeastern Ituri province while on a peace mission.

The four envoys of the task force, including coordinator Thomas Lubanga, deputy coordinator Floribert Ndjabu and two colonels who had remained in captivity were released early Tuesday, according to Communication and Media Minister Patrick Muyaya.

Earlier this month, three members of the task force taken hostage by the rebel group were released, two weeks after the release of the first hostage who was identified as Jean-Baptiste Dhechuvi.

The envoys were taken captive when they went to the Djugu region to convince armed groups to lay down their weapons as part of Tshisekedi’s demobilization program.

They were reportedly captured after government forces bombed CODECO positions.

The group had outlined several demands to free the captives, including the release of CODECO prisoners, cessation of military operations and lifting the state of siege imposed in Ituri and North Kivu since last May.